Belgium's Kim Clijsters defeated Russia's Vera Zvonareva 6-2, 6-1 Saturday night to win her second consecutive U.S. Open title and her third Grand Slam title.
The win makes her the first woman to win two consecutive U.S. Open titles since Venus Williams, whom Clijsters beat Friday night to advance to the final round.
The no. 2-seeded Clijsters accepted her trophy before a cheering crowd in New York's Arthur Ashe stadium after encouraging Zvonareva to keep fighting toward the title.
"A little bit of experience definitely helps," she said. "I think it took me six or seven finals until I finally got one.
"Keep it going," she told her opponent. "You're a great player. It'll happen."
The 27-year-old married mother will also receive $2.2 million for her win.
Zvonareva congratulated Clijsters, saying that despite the outcome, "I still love New York."
Clijsters came into the match with 20 consecutive wins after defeating Williams, who snagged back-to-back titles in 2000 and 2001. The no. 7-seeded Zvonareva upset top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki on Friday to face off with Clijsters, whom she had beaten twice previously.
More coverage of the U.S. Open on SI.com.
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surprisingly zveranova will be ranked higher in this weeks rankings than clijsters..
It is not at all surprising. Since Kim won this tournament last year, her points are a wash. Last year's 2000 drop off, and this year's 2000 add on, so her total points stay the same. Zvonareva only made the 2nd round last year, and was runner up this year. So she will be adding over 1000 extra points to her overall total. That is why Zvonareva will rise in the rankings. It is all about how well you do at a tournament compared to the year before, and whether you just defend the points you have, or increase the points from last year.
Not a great final as Zveranova seemed overcome by the occasion but she did manage to keep herself together. Kim played a real champion`s final and had Vera running all over the place. The game between Federer and Djokivic was outstanding and should be a classic final against Nadal tomorrow. One comic moment, the lady from USTA who presented the trophies said "this is the greatest tennis tournament in the world!" Has she not heard of Wimbledon? Acclaimed by eveyrone else as the truly greatest tennis tournament in the world. Just asking.
No it's not. It's considered the most prestigious tournament, not the greatest.
Couldn't they have chosen a better picture for the article? I mean if it were Sharapova I wouldn't complain. I'm just saying . . .
you're probably just jealous that she's got more muscular legs than YOU!! it's pretty obvious that your focus is NOT so much on the quality of TENNIS!!!
They probably chose it because it is a move she has become famous for. She makes those splits during matches all the time.
Matt- Your a pig. That's why she had her husband and daughter there for the win. Who are you with???
right on
matt - screw off
no, jigers, you screw off
Yeah, Kim is not exactly a hottie, is she? Yuck! Give me any one of those Russian chicks. I don't care how well they play tennis as long as they are smokin' hot.
I agree with Matt. Women are s*x objects, period. they should be ranked based on hotness, not skill. I say make them all wear bikinis and bonus points will be given for those with bigger bo*bs. Now that is a sport worth watching!
Yeah, go Kim! She totally deserves the win. May the best triumph.
OMG, who cares about this? Tennis is boring! No one cares!
USA is playing finals in Basketball world championship tomorrow at 2.30 PM on ESPN. that's what's important.
JIM you care othewise you wouldn't post here you stupid
I was at the open. It was a very boring womens final. Kim is a great player. The Final was actually Friday, when she played Venus.
You guys should not come on here and fight. Americans will fight about anything. It a game TENNIS.
Youre lucky Mike. I have always wanted to go to the US Open. Hopefully i'll get to go someday.
Kim looks good to me. She's not gonna win a beauty pageant anytime soon but compared to some women in sports she is fine.
Did she make that shot that's above in the article, where she's backward doing the splits?